Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Prediction: Back Fins to go big in Sunday spectacular

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Dolphins vs South Sydney Rabbitohs Odds

While more is expected of the Rabbitohs in 2026, Betfred are not counting on that happening overnight.

They have the visitors priced at 11/10 for the victory at Suncorp, with the hosts 5/6 to collect the opening two competition points.

The draw can be backed at 14/1, while there’s a 1.5-point start handed to the Bunnies in the two-way handicap market.

Against that setting the Dolphins are still 5/6 but Wayne Bennett’s side are 10/11 with the extra edge.

Team News

The return of Tom Flegler is the biggest piece of news coming out of the Dolphins’ camp. The front-rower last appeared in a Premiership game in April 2024, with two years of shoulder issues having at one point seemed likely to cut his career short.

Tom Gilbert is another returnee, leading the side out after his recovery from a pec issue which ended his 2025 season in May.

Former St Helens lock Morgan Knowles makes his debut in the 13 shirt, while ex-Hull KR half Brad Schneider is a bench option after leaving the Penrith Panthers for Redcliffe.

Rugby League Odds

Souths call on inexperienced half-back Ashton Ward to fill the number-seven jersey on opening weekend, with Jamie Humphreys missing out through suspension.

Jai Arrow has no return date yet following a shoulder problem, while a calf issue has sidelined Brandon Smith.

David Fifita and Bronson Garlick both get the call from the legendary Bennett, and the Rabbitohs’ three-quarter line looks about as strong as it could be with Alex Johnston, Latrell Mitchell, Jack Wighton and Campbell Graham all included.

Dolphins Over 25.5 Points @ 11/8

The one thing you could count on where the Dolphins were concerned last year was entertainment.

Not only were Kristian Woolf’s side the best attacking team in the comp, averaging over 30 points a game, but they also had the worst defence outside the bottom six.

On 14 occasions in their final 20 matches, they racked up at least 26 points. And that included seven scores of 40-plus and four which cleared the half-century.

As the game’s greatest entertainers, it is hard to imagine them not scoring big against a Rabbitohs side whose big issues last year came in defence.

The Bunnies shipped 30-plus six times in a nine-game losing spell which defined their 2025 season, and that included a 50-28 shellacking by the Dolphins.

The 11/8 odds imply a 42.1% probability, which for me underestimates the ruthlessness of the Dolphins with ball in hand.